Maddie Wanamaker graduated from Wisconsin in 2017 and is currently set to race in the United States W4- at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
1. What inspired you to go to your first rowing practice; was there anything memorable about it?
Walking on to a rowing team in college was always in the back of my mind in high school. I went to a junior rowing camp before my freshman year of college to get a feel for the sport. I don't remember tons about my very first time in the boat, but I know I got yelled at because I almost put my foot through the bottom of it trying to put my oar in.
2. Was there a practice, race or other event when you fell in love with the sport, or when you knew you might not be too bad at rowing? When you thought you could make the national team?
When I went to my first NCAA championship sophomore year I was enthralled by the pageantry of a big national regatta. I had never seen so many tall, strong girls in one place. When I was in the crowd of rowers it felt like I had found my people. Our boat had a great regatta with tight, exciting racing. I remember wishing we could do it again the next weekend. I was obsessed from then on.
3. Best race/practice, worst race/practice?
My best race was definitely winning the 4- at the World Championships in 2018. We were total underdogs with no expectations. It was magical.
The worst row I had (but a hilarious and fond memory) was racing at Indiana my senior year of college. After we launched, the wind picked up and our boat started taking on water. My pair partner and I had dropped out to bail. Her oar caught a big wave and she was ejected, feet over head. Our boat totally swamped after that and we all had to pile into a launch to get back to shore.
4. Best/Anything you've done in the sport no one knows about?
The best thing I've done is compile a 30 hour long erg playlist (and counting) so I'm ready any time someone asks "who's playing music today?"
5. Any/Most important advice for young rowers?
Don't wait until you are too broken to function to ask for help from a physical therapist or mental health professional.
Hometown: Neenah, Wis.
Began Rowing: 2013
Date of Birth: February 14th, 1995
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
High School: Neenah High School
Education: University of Wisconsin, Environmental Studies & Life Sciences Communication, 2017
Training Location: Princeton, N.J.
Current Coach: Tom Terhaar
National Teams: Five - Under 23, 2016-17; Senior, 2018-19; Olympic, 2020
International Results: Finished sixth in the the four at the 2019 World Rowing Championships...Raced in the four at the 2019 World Rowing Cup II...Finished fifth in the pair and the four at the 2019 World Rowing Cup I...Won gold in the four at the 2018 World Rowing Championships...Placed second in the eight at the 2017 World Rowing Under 23 Championships...Placed 11th in the quadruple sculls at the 2016 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.
National Results: Finished ninth in the varsity eight at the 2016 NCAA Women's Rowing Championships...Finished ninth in the second varsity eight at the 2015 NCAA Women's Rowing Championships.
Personal: Madeleine Wanamaker started rowing in 2013 as a walk-on at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There she led the team to a pair of top 10 NCAA finishes in 2016 and 2017. Madeleine garnered second team All-Big Ten and All-Region honors her senior year but is fondest of her "Most Promising Novice" award. She counts Grace Latz and Vicky Optiz amongst her sporting heroes. Madeleine will lengthen a streak of Wisconsin rowers at the Olympics that has been unbroken since 1968.
In addition to rowing, Madeleine loves music, art and the outdoors. She is an advocate for women's rights and athlete mental health. In the future, she looks to pursue coaching or sports psychology. She hopes to help younger athletes, especially girls, build confidence and life skills through sports. Madeleine would like to thank her parents, family and friends for all of their support over the years and especially this one. She would also like to thank the USRowing medical team and the AVM Center at Lenox Hill, without whom this year would have been impossible.
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